How has your club’s top draft pick fared this year?

Season 2017 has seen a number of rookies burst onto the scene in stunning fashion

Some of those players have been a club’s top picks at last year’s draft but for other draftees things haven’t been quite as smooth.

Adelaide: Jordan Gallucci – Pick 15

Jordan Gallucci was handed his debut in the round nine victory over Brisbane in which the 19-year-old collected 11 disposals and kicked his maiden goal at the top level. He has featured on six occasions at SANFL level, being named in the best on one occasion, while kicking two goals.

Brisbane: Hugh McCluggage – Pick Three

On draft night he was touted as a possible steal for the Lions at pick three and thus far in his career McCluggage has proven to be a valuable asset to Chris Fagan’s side. In the first nine games of his AFL career, the 19-year-old has averaged 14.3 disposals with a season high of 19 in round 10 against Collingwood.

Carlton: Sam Petrevski-Seton – Pick Six

One of four Blues to receive a NAB Rising Star nomination this season, following his impressive display against Collingwood in round seven which saw the West Australian register two goals and 21 disposals. Petrevski-Seton appears to be a real find for the Blues and is quickly forming part of the club’s next premiership midfield.

Collingwood: Sam McLarty – Pick 30

One of the feel-good stories of the 2016 national draft, after the profoundly deaf Sam McLarty was selected by the Pies. As always with key position stocks, the 19-year-old must show patience as he continues to mould his body. He is yet to make a senior debut despite seven games in the VFL.

Essendon: Andrew McGrath – Pick One

McGrath has proven to be a more than adequate selection by the Dons averaging 19.5 disposals across half-back, although we should expect to see him spend more time in the midfield later in the year. He was awarded a Rising Star nomination in round four.

Fremantle: Griffin Logue – Pick Eight

The Dockers’ top pick in last year’s draft featured in his first four career games between rounds three and six but has not been sighted since. In those matches, Logue showed glimpses of his class, in particular, his attacking threat during the victory over North Melbourne in which he kicked 1.3.

Geelong: Brandan Parfitt – Pick 26

After a bright start to light at the Cattery, things came to a grinding halt in round six when he suffered a hamstring injury. Parfitt brought an added dimension of class to the Cats’ midfield averaging 14.7 disposals across his first six matches.

Gold Coast: Ben Ainsworth – Pick Four

Ben Ainsworth featured for the Suns in the first two games of the season only for his progress to be halted by a corked thigh. The 19-year-old would return to the senior side in round 12 against Hawthorn, impressing with 18 disposals and a goal.

GWS: Tim Taranto – Pick Two

In a side, full of quality, despite their injury woes, Tim Taranto has not missed a beat in his first AFL season. The round eight Rising Star nominee is classy around the packs nailing five goals in 11 games while maintaining an average of 15.8 disposals.

Hawthorn: Harry Morrison – Pick 74

The Hawks were forced to wait until the latter stages of last year’s draft following trades for Tom Mitchell and Jager O’Meara, but when that time did come they selected Harry Morrison. Key forward Morrison has kicked just the one goal from eight VFL games so far this season. A player who still needs time.

Melbourne: Mitch Hannan – Pick 49

A mature-aged recruit has made an immediate impact at the top level and a player the Demons fans have quickly come to adore. Mitch Hannan has added a different dimension up forward for Simon Goodwin’s team this season with his ability in the air and at ground level. The 23-year-old has kicked 16 goals from 11 matches.

North Melbourne: Jy Simpkin – Pick 12

The Kangaroos may have been struggling in the games in which he featured by Jy Simpkin showed plenty of class for a young man still finding his feet at the top level. Despite being limited to just six games, Simpkin has given North fans a glimpse of the future. He remains sidelined with an AC joint injury.

Port Adelaide: Todd Marshall – Pick 16

While much of the talk has surrounded Sam Powell-Pepper’s impact at AFL level in his first season, Todd Marshall is quietly developing his game quickly in the reserves. If his current form continues a debut at the top level will not be far away for a man who has kicked 14 goals in 10 SANFL matches.

Richmond: Shai Bolton – Pick 29

A suspension at VFL level meant Shai Bolton would not be eligible for an AFL debut until round five but he would be forced to wait for his chance until round nine against GWS. Since debuting Bolton has played all four games with his best performance coming against the Swans on the weekend.

St Kilda: Ben Long – Pick 25

Described as a surprise selection by the Saints at last year’s draft Long has managed just two games in his first AFL season. Drafted off the back of a strong VFL season with Footscray, Long has continued that form at the secondary level with 13 goals from seven appearances with Sandringham.

Sydney: Oliver Florent – Pick 11

Oliver Florent was just the latest in a long line of academy players to join the Sydney Swans. Florent has found himself in and out of the team throughout the season, playing six games. In that time the youngster has averaged just 9.1 disposals, although he continually appears to be a class above in the NEAFL.

Western Bulldogs: Tim English – Pick 19

Many thought it would be a while before Tim English got his crack at the big time but with the Dogs struggling that chance would come against St Kilda in round 10. Luke Beveridge’s coaching staff elected to withdraw English from the senior side after two games last weekend.

West Coast Eagles: Daniel Venables – Pick 13

Oh, how cruel the AFL world can be. Daniel Venables was expected to make his debut against Geelong last Thursday but is now on the sidelines battling turf toe. He has played eight games for East Perth in the WAFL throughout the season.

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